Cockfighting business gets a new twist The Cockhouse Corp.

Cockfighting, known as sabong in Filipino, is a spectator sport deeply ingrained in Filipino culture. The centuries-old rooster sport, which traces its roots to the Indus Civilization, was already in the country long before the Spaniards arrived in 1521.

It was against this backdrop that Raphael F. Vallente and Edmundo A. Gorgonio founded the “The Cockhouse,” a cockfighting novelty store selling apparel, literature, DVDs, caps, and mugs that bear the rooster design.

The Cockhouse was an offshoot of a penchant for cockfighting novelty products, said Mr. Vallente, company president and chief executive officer.

The store started operations in 2005 with P600,000 in initial capital. Four years later, it has grown into six outlets — at the SM North Edsa, SM Fairview, SM Sta. Mesa, SM Mall of Asia, Duty Free Philippines, and the Gaisano Mall in Davao City.